Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia is set to become Europe’s tallest Christian church with the imminent completion of its central tower, dedicated to Jesus Christ.
The milestone marks a historic moment in the life of the basilica, which has been under construction since 1882.
The central tower, expected to be finished by the end of this year or early 2026, will stand at 172 meters, surpassing Germany’s Ulmer Münster, currently the tallest Christian church in Europe at 162 meters.
“It is remarkable that in the 21st century we are building a cathedral,” said Xavier Martínez, general director of the Sagrada Familia Foundation.
Designed by devout Catholic architect Antoni Gaudí, the basilica is rich in Christian symbolism throughout its structure. The central tower will be crowned with a cross and surrounded by five other towers honoring Mary and the four evangelists.
The church, consecrated by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010, remains unfinished, with ongoing work on its interior and facades. The foundation hopes to complete the entire structure within a decade.
Next year marks the 100th anniversary of Gaudí’s death. The basilica has invited Pope Leo XIV to celebrate a solemn Mass in his honor on June 10.
Last year, 4.9 million people visited the Sagrada Familia, making it one of the most prominent sites of Christian pilgrimage and architectural devotion in the world.